Morrus said:
Or, for example, a generated monster or creature has a spell list. I need to be able to click on the spell in the list to call up its description instantly (i.e. with just one click). And then, if the spell mentions anything defined elsewhere in the rules, that should be linked directly too.
I think that it's this cross-referencing which makes the difference between a good program and an average one.
Cross-referencing via hyperlinks is good, and you'll find that you can do this most usefuly in RPM within the Campaign Encyclopaedia, and with adventure details (both of which support rich-text wordprocessing with links.
I also recommend RPM's other methods of making required info instantly available at your finger tips. I think you'll typically find them more appropriate.
1) In the most general sense, you can double click on just about any list item to bring up an info window.
For example, the PC/creature window has lists of feats, skills, items, class abilities, racial abilities, classes and current conditions. Double-clicking on any of these will give you all the details you need.
2) When you add a condition to a creature (either a standard one such as grappled, dazzled or exhausted - or a spell effect fro ma spell), the full description is available for that condition. Also, appropriate game mechanics will have been applied (such as you'll notice your dex bonus to AC has disappeared whilst grappled).
3) When you review spell lists (either current or available spells), you'll see the relevant description as you peruse the list.
4) If you use RPM as an in-game aide, you'll also notice a "Desc" tab on the Action window, which gives you a description of the action. For example, there are about 5 small page fulls of description on Grapple, if you choose that action. This is slightly different from the description on the grappled condition (mentioned above), since one description is about how to grapple, and the other is about the effects of being grappled.
You'll find that the description you see in "Desc" depends on what type of action you choose. Standard actions (such as grapple) will show the standard description. A skill check will display the skill description (useful for things such as Concentration), and a spell will show the full spell description.
5) Clicking on any item (in either the creature equipment list, or perhaps a weapon in the attacks section), gives you a full description of that weapon (along with its "stats").
6) When you level up (add a class) to your PC, you have list choices of classes, feats and skills to choose from. As usual, just double click on any item to find out all about it. You can do a full investigation of interesting classes, right down to all the details of the class features.
7) If you're using RPM in-game with the BattleMap, click on any creatures or location markers to get a description on the creature or location. Just moving your mouse over mapped creatures will give you a quick desc on things like hitpoints, AC and current action.
As always, RPM is customizable for house rules and for dataset expansions. All of these items are database items (even actions), and can be modified or added to.
Lastly, within any maintenance window (for feats, skills, spells etc) you can tap in the first few letters to autofind what you need.
I can vouch for that fact within my own gaming group virtually nobody bothers to open up books during play anymore. I have my laptop open, and can generally read out the full description of anything required, way before anyone can find the appropriate page in the correct book.
Things just move a lot faster and smoother in our games these days from that fact alone.
We haven't personally moved to the 3.5 rules yet, but the 3.5 rules encyclopaedia in RPM is very comprehensive.
Regards,
